Ilia Topuria knocked out Max Holloway at the 1:34 mark of the third round to retain the featherweight belt in the UFC 308 main event Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Holloway, a former 145-pound champion, suffered the first knockout loss of his 34-fight professional career. Topuria, meanwhile, remained undefeated as a pro.
A little over a minute into the third round, Topuria knocked Holloway’s head back with a massive right hand, marking the beginning of the end. He swarmed Holloway with a barrage of punches to the head and body. Holloway circled away from Topuria, but just seconds later, Topuria came forward again, landed a few more shots, and then dropped Holloway with a left hook. Topuria landed a few hammerfists on the ground before referee Marc Goddard stepped in.
